I still remember watching my first ever international football event on television. It was the 1982 World Cup in Spain.
At the age of eight, I surely did not know anything about psychology or mental preparation but whenever I see footage of that specific tournament, and in particular the final match between Italy and West Germany, immediately I realise which side was mentally stronger.
Italy overcame the tension of a missed penalty and the loss due to injury of a key player in the early minutes of the game and still won the cup impressively.
As a norm, the final match result is what states who has won and many times the records determine the triumphs of players and teams.